What is diaphoresis?

• A. Fever
• B. Light perspiration
• C. Shortness of breath
• D. Heavy sweating

Answer: (D)

Diaphoresis means heavy sweating, often profuse and noticeable beyond ordinary perspiration. It happens when the sympathetic nervous system activates the sweat glands in response to heat, exertion, illness, stress, or shock. That’s why the best description is heavy sweating. Fever is an elevated body temperature, light perspiration is mild sweating, and shortness of breath is a breathing symptom, not sweating.